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Magellan's Voyage

I acquired this book very recently from Amazon.com. Those who do know Brunei history would know why this book is probably one of the most important that you would need to get hold of if you want to know more about Brunei History.

This book entitled 'Magellan's Voyage' described how Magellan's expedition traveled around the world way back in 1519 to 1522. Ferdinand Magellan was a Portuguese explorer but served King Charles I of Spain to search for a westward route to the Spice Islands (today's Maluku Islands in Indonesia). His expedition of 1519 to 1522 became the first expedition to sail from Atlantic and then into the Pacific Ocean. The expedition was the first to circumnavigate the earth but unfortunately Magellan himself was killed in Mactan in the Philippines.

However the most important man for Brunei was not Magellan. By the time the expedition reached Brunei, Magellan was already dead in Mactan. The most important man was Antonio Pigafetta. Antonio was neither Portuguese or Spanish but he was an Italian who joined Magellan's expedition and wrote an account of what went on in the journey and all the things that he saw.

Luckily for us here in Brunei, the expedition reached Brunei and Antonio Pigafetta was able for the first time, wrote a very accurate of what he saw of Brunei way back in the early 16th century. His description of Kampong Ayer, the Sultan's palace was how we know that even as back as 5 centuries ago, Kampong Ayer was a major metropolis on water. This book is worthwhile to get at a cost of only US$12.95.

DESPITE first making its appearance in the Sultanate during the 1940s, Kuih Mor continues to be a household favourite today as a tea time snack or festive treat particularly during Hari Raya Aidil Fitri.

Siti Norhafizah Hj Bagol, a final year student at Universiti Brunei Darussalam who researched on Kuih Mor as part of her Brunei Traditional Industry module, said the three-ingredient sweet treat may have existed in Brunei as early as the 1940s when padi was known to have been grown to make different food items.

Over time, the cookie has also become a popular door-gift choice often handed out at Malay weddings or gatherings, said Siti Norhafizah.

Made with flour, oil and granulated sugar which have been ground into a powder, the bite-sized biscuits have a crumbly texture and are coated with powdered sugar.

The age-old technique of making Kuih Mor by hand has however changed over the course of time, with many now opt…

BY COMMAND of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, the Prime Minister’s Office hereby announces that His Majesty has consented to the transfer and appointment of the following senior officers – Dato Paduka Haji Mohd Juanda bin Haji Abdul Rashid, Permanent Secretary (Law and Welfare) at the Prime Minister’s Office as well as the Director of Anti-Corruption Bureau and Solicitor General has been transferred to the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports as the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports; and Datin Elinda binti Haji CA Mohamed, Special Senior Duties Officer, Ministry of Home Affairs has been appointed as Permanent Secretary at the Prime Minister’s Office and Director of Anti-Corruption Bureau.